An Experimentally Validated Selection Protocol for Biochar as a Sustainable Component in Green Roofs

Tom Haeldermans, Jeamichel Puente Torres, Willem Vercruysse, Robert Carleer, Pieter Samyn, Dries Vandamme, Jan Yperman (), Ann Cuypers, Kenny Vanreppelen and Sonja Schreurs
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Tom Haeldermans: Research Groups of Environmental Sciences, CMK, IMO, Hasselt University, Agoralaan Building D, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium
Jeamichel Puente Torres: Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Universidad de Oriente, Santiago de Cuba 90600, Cuba
Willem Vercruysse: Research Groups of Environmental Sciences, CMK, IMO, Hasselt University, Agoralaan Building D, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium
Robert Carleer: Research Groups of Environmental Sciences, CMK, IMO, Hasselt University, Agoralaan Building D, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium
Pieter Samyn: Research Groups of Environmental Sciences, CMK, IMO, Hasselt University, Agoralaan Building D, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium
Dries Vandamme: Research Groups of Environmental Sciences, CMK, IMO, Hasselt University, Agoralaan Building D, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium
Jan Yperman: Research Groups of Environmental Sciences, CMK, IMO, Hasselt University, Agoralaan Building D, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium
Ann Cuypers: Research Groups of Environmental Sciences, CMK, IMO, Hasselt University, Agoralaan Building D, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium
Kenny Vanreppelen: Research Groups of Environmental Sciences, CMK, IMO, Hasselt University, Agoralaan Building D, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium
Sonja Schreurs: Research Groups of Environmental Sciences, CMK, IMO, Hasselt University, Agoralaan Building D, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium

Waste, 2023, vol. 1, issue 1, 1-19

Abstract: Green roofs contribute to more sustainable cities, but current commercial substrates suffer from important limitations. If carefully selected, biochar could serve as a viable option for a more sustainable green roof substrate. We propose a protocol to select an optimal biochar for green roof substrate amendment. Coffee husks, medium-density fiberboard, palm date fronds, and a mixture of waste wood, tree bark, and olive stone kernels are selected as residues for biochar production to develop a selection protocol. The residues are pyrolyzed at 350, 450, 500, and 550 °C in a lab-scale reactor. A pyrolysis temperature of 450 °C is selected for upscaling and is based on biochar yield, pH, salinity, and elemental composition. From evaluating the biochar characteristics after upscaling, it can be concluded that the biochar’s carbonization degree is mainly controlled by pyrolysis temperature, while yield, pH, and salinity are more dependent on the biomass properties. Ultimately, our procedure evaluates the presence of important contaminants, the biochar’s water holding capacity, salinity, pH, and carbonization degree. To validate the developed protocol, plant coverage experiments on green roofs are performed, which are quantified using a novel digital image processing method, demonstrating its efficient use to facilitate future biochar selection in substrates.

Keywords: biochar production; biochar upscaling; green roofs; selection protocol (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q16 Q18 Q2 Q20 Q23 Q24 Q25 Q28 Q3 Q31 Q38 Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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